Andremily - EABA 2020 (750ml)

Wine Advocate 98+ points

"Eaba (pronounced "ee-buh") means "end all be all," and it is an apt name for this stunning blend of 65% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 3% Viognier, which represents a selection of the best lots of the vintage. It comes from several vineyards in Santa Barbara County (Bien Nacido, White Hawk, Larner and Alta Mesa), plus Andremily's new Slide Hill estate vineyard in Edna Valley. It was vinified using 70% whole clusters and matured for around 22 months in 50% new French barriques. Aged an additional year in bottle before release, winemaker Jim Binns says that beginning with the 2021 vintage, Eaba will also be aged longer in barrel.   The 2020 Eaba explodes from the glass with very pure scents of violet, star anise, boysenberry and black cherry complemented by wafts of coffee beans, Castelvetrano olives and currant leaves. The palate is enveloping and luxurious with loads of velvety tannins, highly concentrated perfumed fruit and youthful streaks of new oak spice. It retains plenty of juicy acidity, which balances the wine and highlights its detailed spice and floral accents on the epically long finish. 780 cases and a few magnums were made. With patience, this may reach a "perfect" zenith."

Jeb Dunnuck 96-99 points
"The inky-hued 2020 EABA is mostly Syrah yet includes 22% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, and 3% Viognier that saw 70% stems and will spend 22 months in 50% new barrels. It has a killer bouquet of sweet crème de cassis, ripe plums, roasted herbs, graphite, and licorice that carries to a full-bodied, powerful, yet pure, balanced, and incredibly elegant style on the palate. It shows the warmer style of the vintage yet has a brilliant sense of freshness and purity.This was another brilliant lineup from Jim Binns. The 2019s here are easily the finest I’ve ever tasted, and the 2020s don’t appear to be far behind, although they bring a touch more oomph compared to the powerful, yet elegant 2019s."